View Full Version : Importance of Not Being a Fred
spingineer
05-06-07, 09:51 PM
Is it really that important NOT to be a fred? If a fred passes you on a hill climb, does that increase or diminish your respect for the guy, even though he looks like a fred? Doesn't it urk you when a guy with tennis shoes, gym shorts, t-shirt, and plastic shopping bags wrapped around the handle bars passes you up, and with ease? And worse yet, his bike squeals and squeeks like crazy!
Mr. Beanz
05-06-07, 09:58 PM
What if it's a 235 lb Fred?:D
nygirl777
05-06-07, 10:00 PM
What if it's a 235 lb Fred?:D
yeah we can usually see that fred coming with his orange jersey and just cut that loser off :D
spingineer
05-06-07, 10:01 PM
Doesn't matter ... if a 300 lb Fred passes you, with squeaky chains, and wearing tennis shoes, and a visor on their helmet, nothing changes the fact that he passed you on a hill.
Mr. Beanz
05-06-07, 10:05 PM
yeah we can usually see that fred coming with his orange jersey and just cut that loser off :D
Yeah, I forgot to mention that guy is a real LLLLLoser!:D
spingineer
05-06-07, 10:10 PM
Ok, does wearing a helmet with a visor constitute a Fred?
Chucklehead
05-06-07, 10:10 PM
Doesn't it urk you when a guy with tennis shoes, gym shorts, t-shirt, and plastic shopping bags wrapped around the handle bars passes you up, and with ease? And worse yet, his bike squeals and squeeks like crazy!
this hasn't yet happened to me.
i will say this, though..
i think it's worse to be a poser than a fred.
merider1
05-06-07, 10:12 PM
:mad: I thought Freds were posers who wouldn't be caught dead wearing a visor and instead, spend the most they can on bikes, jerseys, etc. to look like they are all that. Am I wrong? Am I a Fred - or Fredericka? :eek:
spingineer
05-06-07, 10:12 PM
There is one guy in Western Wheelers, a local bike club in Palo Alto. He is just as I describe ... big fat tennis shoes, ragged shorts, t-shirt ... I'm not even sure if he does laundry ... ewwww ... and he's always first to the top of the hill!
Ok, does wearing a helmet with a visor constitute a Fred?
Sometimes I forget to take the visor off my melmet when on the road.
so, call me Fred if it makes you happy, I'm still havin' fun!
Now, if you see a guy wearing a baseball hat under his helmet, are they a Fred??
never understood why they would, but...
And I always use the visor on theMt Bike.
Edit; I think the term is "BARNEY".??
Chucklehead
05-06-07, 10:16 PM
barneys are surfer freds.
and how one earth can you fit a bike helmet over a baseball cap??(just tried)
barneys are surfer freds.
and how one earth can you fit a bike helmet over a baseball cap??(just tried)
Oh chuckles...
See it all the time.....
Maybe I'll take up surfing, and become Fred and Barney. See that way
i'll get both Wilma and Betty!!!
spingineer
05-06-07, 10:18 PM
barneys are surfer freds.
and how one earth can you fit a bike helmet over a baseball cap??(just tried)
Just because you tried that ... makes you a fred ... :roflmao:
Chucklehead
05-06-07, 10:24 PM
Oh chuckles...
See it all the time.....
do you mean a cycling cap? cuz this is really uncomfortable...
do you mean a cycling cap? cuz this is really uncomfortable...
???
if its cloth, and has a visor, it's a baseball hat.
Why not just leave the visor on.
ME does!!
( never heard of a cycling cap), does that make me a fred??
Indolent58
05-06-07, 10:33 PM
:mad: I thought Freds were posers who wouldn't be caught dead wearing a visor and instead, spend the most they can on bikes, jerseys, etc. to look like they are all that. Am I wrong? Am I a Fred - or Fredericka? :eek:
You're very confused. Poseurs (note the pretentious spelling) and Freds are different. Poseurs (or the BF variant "Obsessive Compulsive Poseurs" - OCP) live by a strict fashion code covering all aspects of clothing, bikes and equipment. Transgressions are swiftly punished with peer scorn and ridicule.
You are a Fred, or Frederina as it were, because you scandalously just want to ride and use whatever bike/clothing makes sense to use. :eek: I am a Fred too. So are many other Socal BFers. Freds are everywhere!
Chucklehead
05-06-07, 10:36 PM
thin, cheap, disposable, fits under a bike helmet;
http://www.trialtir-usa.com/2006-colnago/accessories/misc/images/cycling-cap.jpg
not so thin, not so cheap, hurts when worn under a bike helmet:
http://mlb.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pMLB2-3537714dt.jpg
thin, cheap, disposable, fits under a bike helmet;
not so thin, not so cheap, hurts when worn under a bike helmet:
I am such a Fred.....
Now I get it!~!
spingineer
05-06-07, 10:38 PM
thin, cheap, disposable, fits under a bike helmet;
Well, at least you didn't choose a SF cap.
spingineer
05-06-07, 10:39 PM
I'm a Fred for using a saddle bag.
Chucklehead
05-06-07, 10:40 PM
i'm sorry, i live in san diego. what's SF? or LA, for that matter:D
merider1
05-06-07, 10:48 PM
You are a Fred, or Frederina as it were, because you scandalously just want to ride and use whatever bike/clothing makes sense to use. :eek: I am a Fred too. So are many other Socal BFers. Freds are everywhere!
Wait...so, you're saying that my:
1. Forty dollar (full retail price) sports chalet "iron girl" jersey
2. Men's nike runner's base layer
3. Anklet runner's dri-wick socks
4. Child's helmet with visor
5. Bento box AND saddle bag
...All indicate what a Frederina (I like that) I am? No...say it isn't so! :p
dauphin
05-06-07, 10:59 PM
I got you all beat...still wearing spin shoes with spd cleats and pedals on the roadie.
spingineer
05-06-07, 11:14 PM
Well, look what I was wearing on Solvang Double. That friggin' camelback is huge!!!! Talk about being a Fred!
http://homepage.mac.com/ronng/.Pictures/Cycling/SolvangDouble/r268.jpg
dauphin
05-06-07, 11:53 PM
you're right spin...ditch the camelback....
Does Riis approve of your off season diet? :P
Luwin1026
05-07-07, 01:01 AM
I have mad respect for the guy who wears tennis shoes w/ khaki shorts and a plastic bag over his saddle kick butt out there - I've been a little put off by the degree of fuss some (note the careful use of the word "some" - and to extrapolate that a little more, I honestly mean NONE of the BF members I've met/ridden with in person) riders make on equipment/apparel/style (or lack thereof) whether it be directed at me personally or others. Perhaps it's their own insecurities being projected at the expense of others, or mommy/daddy issues, or whatever -
Wear that Camelbak proudly, spin! ;)
I have mad respect for the guy who wears tennis shoes w/ khaki shorts and a plastic bag over his saddle kick butt out there
+1, I could care less what people wear, look like, or the type of bike bling they have (or don't have).
I used to only wear t-shirts, tennis shoes, and athletic shorts (non-spandex) and I would have laughed at anyone that tried to poke fun at me. Then I would have beat them up the hill while riding my knobby tired MTB while they were on the high end roadie.
Never make a judgment based on appearances because it will only make you look like a fool.
Happytime
05-07-07, 06:20 AM
You're very confused. Poseurs (note the pretentious spelling) and Freds are different. Poseurs (or the BF variant "Obsessive Compulsive Poseurs" - OCP) live by a strict fashion code covering all aspects of clothing, bikes and equipment.
I'm a poseur. I wear da Assos and can't make it up a steep hill without my triple. :(
I am also putting together a bike I don't deserve to ride (but I'm working on it!)
The other day I was doing repeats of a hilly road called Via Del Monte. As I was starting up a guy rode up past me rather easily. On my third repeat near the top, he passed me again, this time going down. All I heard was, "You're still going up this hill?" before he disappeared around the bend. Hmmmmph!
spingineer
05-07-07, 06:28 AM
I'm a poseur. I wear da Assos and can't make it up a steep hill without my triple. :(
I am also putting together a bike I don't deserve to ride (but I'm working on it!)
The other day I was doing repeats of a hilly road called Via Del Monte. As I was starting up a guy rode up past me rather easily. On my third repeat near the top, he passed me again, this time going down. All I heard was, "You're still going up this hill?" before he disappeared around the bend. Hmmmmph!
I bet you wanted to crack that whip and knock his block off.
Happytime
05-07-07, 06:49 AM
I bet you wanted to crack that whip and knock his block off.
Only because he was packin' budgie.
spingineer
05-07-07, 06:58 AM
One time I road Montrose with a saddle bag ... imagine all the disgusted looks I got!
lyeinyoureye
05-07-07, 07:15 AM
If I ever get called a Fred by a group on a right, I'ma go kamikaze under their front wheels. There'll be piles of whining recreational cyclists, and I'll get up and keep on Fred'n on. :D
Psydotek
05-07-07, 07:22 AM
Meh, if being fred means being able to survive out on the road, i'm cool with it. :D A while back i posted how much crap i sometimes carry with me when i do long road rides (anything over 8 miles is long for me). :p
I have all sorts of gear with me. Everything to fix flats (tubes, patches, and even a spare tire), multitool, arm/leg warmers, happy paper (a.k.a. toilet paper, half a roll in a ziplock bag), batteries, spare cleats, windbreaker (if i'm not already wearing it), 3-5 servings of energy gel/bars, painkillers (advil is my favorite), and 50-100oz of water (depending on the tempertature and ride duration. And that's JUST my camelbak. :lol: My pump and cytomax reside on my bike frame, and i stuff my keys, cellphone, and wallet wherever they fit.
Fully loaded, my camelbak weighed around 20lbs when i last checked. Like i've said, it serves as resistance training for races. :D
merider1
05-07-07, 07:31 AM
Does Riis approve of your off season diet? :P
Huh? What's an off season diet? What's Riis? :rolleyes: :p
merider1
05-07-07, 07:34 AM
The other day I was doing repeats of a hilly road called Via Del Monte. As I was starting up a guy rode up past me rather easily. On my third repeat near the top, he passed me again, this time going down. All I heard was, "You're still going up this hill?" before he disappeared around the bend. Hmmmmph!
You should have yelled back, "I know, huh? And all I did was run six miles and swim two before hitting this stupid hill. I'm such a slacker." Triathletes have my respect. In fact, I told Bob that yesterday when we encountered what looked like two of them at Newcombs Ranch, both riding tri bikes. Hey, they made it up there just as well as I did AND I'm sure their day included either a run or a swim or both. So, who's the poser, hmmmmm? :D
merider1
05-07-07, 07:36 AM
Only because he was packin' budgie.
:eek: You had time to look? Okay, you WERE slacking. :p ;)
Happytime
05-07-07, 07:39 AM
:eek: You had time to look? Okay, you WERE slacking. :p ;)
Mary, there's always room to look! :p
merider1
05-07-07, 07:43 AM
Mary, there's always room to look! :p
Well, if there's "room" to look, then it ain't worth looking at. :p
Happytime
05-07-07, 07:46 AM
Well, if there's "room" to look, then it ain't worth looking at. :p
Something tells me SC-BF is in for a very salacious week....!
:D
spingineer
05-07-07, 07:47 AM
Huh? What's an off season diet? What's Riis? :rolleyes: :p
Riis ... director of Team CSC ... racing geeks!
spingineer
05-07-07, 07:50 AM
As I recall, Thomson had a huge friggin' bag hanging off his saddle. Now that's a Fred look, but I'm sure he doesn't mind, especially when he's doing up and back on Balcom!
bitingduck
05-07-07, 08:18 AM
One time I road Montrose with a saddle bag ... imagine all the disgusted looks I got!
I used to ride it with mismatched (one red, one yellow) Look MTB pedals (and mtb shoes) on a filthy old road bike with box-rim wheels and a visor on my helmet. I enjoy looking fredly sometimes...
BigSean
05-07-07, 08:46 AM
Is it really that important NOT to be a fred? If a fred passes you on a hill climb, does that increase or diminish your respect for the guy, even though he looks like a fred? Doesn't it urk you when a guy with tennis shoes, gym shorts, t-shirt, and plastic shopping bags wrapped around the handle bars passes you up, and with ease? And worse yet, his bike squeals and squeeks like crazy!
Well get used to it. Memorial Day weekend my buddy, Crazy Andy is gonna ride with us. T shirt, baggy shorts, fanny pack, 30 year old steel bike with stickers all over it, goofy handle bars, and he rides in sandle, oh and he rides it fixed. He will be the first to the top. In other worrds, Im used to it and I actually chase a Fred.:eek:
I keep having to point out there are two definitions of "Fred".
The "Classic" Fred is a non-stylish rider on a utility bike, who can outride better dressed and equipped competitors.
The "Neo" Fred is a clueless newbie who buys expensive equipment and outfits and doesn't realize his seat is too low or his aerobars are not supposed to be vertical, or that you don't wear bibs when you're very overweight.
merider1
05-07-07, 09:19 AM
I keep having to point out there are two definitions of "Fred".
The "Classic" Fred is a non-stylish rider on a utility bike, who can outride better dressed and equipped competitors.
The "Neo" Fred is a clueless newbie who buys expensive equipment and outfits and doesn't realize his seat is too low or his aerobars are not supposed to be vertical, or that you don't wear bibs when you're very overweight.
Thank you, Cooker!!! :) I thought SO! Any time I've ever heard Fred used (other than this forum), has been the "Neo" Fred definition, which is why I teased Indolent and called him a Fred after he made fun of my visor. I've heard Fred mumbled when guys on uber expensive bikes and pretentious kits get smoked by riders who couldn't care less - as in, the Freds look the part, but that's it.
spingineer
05-07-07, 09:32 AM
Maybe I should post a "fred" thread in the racing forum. I think that's where all the venom should be pointed to...
Mo'Phat
05-07-07, 09:34 AM
Fred - image-unconscious champ who can drop all comers on any hill and maintain 35 on the flat.
Phred - neo-n00b with more $ than brains and/or fitness. Buys what Bicycling tells him to. Does the Starbucks tour every 4th Saturday.
Psydotek
05-07-07, 09:56 AM
I shoud "fred-out" for my next triathlon. :lol:
Actually, the effect would be minimal since i'd probably end up at the bottom of my class anyways... :(
spingineer
05-07-07, 10:01 AM
There has to be some jersey out the with the words, in big bright bold letters FRED. Should wear that, and ride it on Montrose. Ride it with the biggest saddle bag you could find, and a nice big fat frame pump.
Posers have no pumps, no saddle bags, stuff everything in their jersey, buying the most expensive and lightweight components as possible. Riding 700cx18 tires. Imagine putting a Kryptonite U-lock on that frame .... oooh, blashphemy
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